Country：新加坡 · Employment & Visas
Singapore · Employment & Visas
Singapore's employment environment is flexible, with foreign-worker ratios under quota management. Mid-level management typically uses the Employment Pass (EP); from 2025, the COMPASS scoring system is fully in force with raised minimum-salary requirements. Local hiring has a low threshold, suiting Chinese firms' mix of secondments and local recruitment.
Key points
- Employment Pass (EP): for professionals; from 2025 minimum fixed monthly salary S$5,600 (S$6,200 for financial services), requiring COMPASS (salary, qualifications, diversity, local support).
- S Pass: for mid-skilled technicians; minimum S$3,300 (phased increase from 2025), under quota and levy.
- Work Permit: for low-skilled labour, with strict quota and sector limits.
- Local hiring: no mandatory local-ratio except licensed/regulated industries, but EP COMPASS includes a local-support bonus.
- 2025 reform: EP renewals align with the new policy, strengthening salary and complementarity review.
Procedure
- Decide secondment vs local recruitment.
- Apply for EP or S Pass for foreigners (MOM online, with COMPASS assessment).
- Dependant's Pass (DP) or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) can be applied with the EP.
- Local employees sign employment contracts under the Employment Act (not mandatory in writing but recommended).
Hard requirements
- EP must meet both salary and COMPASS thresholds.
- Employer must be a locally incorporated Singapore entity.
Costs
EP application S$105, renewal S$225; levy by pass type (S Pass / Work Permit).⏱ ⏱ Timeline：EP approval usually within 3 weeks (1 week expedited).⚠ Common risks
- Failing COMPASS leads to rejection.
- Foreign-worker quota and levy raise labour cost.
- False employment information is penalised.
Handbook
📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)
Applies to：Singapore-incorporated entities applying for Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass for foreign employees (including Chinese secondments), and ensuring local-employee compliance.
Prerequisites
- Employer must be a locally incorporated Singapore entity (not a shell, with genuine business).
- Candidate salary must meet the threshold (from 2025, EP non-finance S$5,600 / finance S$6,200, rising with age).
- Qualifications must be verified by a MOM-recognised third party (mandatory from 2025).
- Employer can support COMPASS scoring (e.g. local PMET share).
| Step | Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | Official form / system | Notes & penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Determine employment model Distinguish Chinese secondment (EP) from local recruitment: secondee executives/professionals use EP, mid-skilled technicians use S Pass, low-skilled use Work Permit (strict quota). | Employer HR | — | None | Workforce plan | EP targets PMET (professionals, managers, executives, technicians). |
| 2 | Check salary threshold and COMPASS Confirm EP fixed monthly salary meets threshold (non-finance S$5,600, finance S$6,200, rising with age; at 45+ S$10,700 / S$11,800); and pass COMPASS with ≥40 points (C1 salary / C2 qualifications / C3 nationality diversity / C4 local PMET support); salary ≥S$22,500 waives COMPASS. | Employer and candidate | — | None | COMPASS self-assessment tool | S Pass threshold from Sep 2025 is S$3,300 (S$3,800 finance), under quota and levy. Penalty：Below threshold or failing COMPASS leads to rejection |
| 3 | Prepare application materials Collect ACRA Business Profile, paid-up capital and revenue, job description and duties, candidate passport, qualification certificates (MOM-recognised third-party verification) and CV; obtain employer written consent. | Employer and candidate | — | Qualification verification fee | EP Online materials | From 2025, qualifications must be verified by a MOM-recognised screening body. Penalty：False information leads to rejection and penalties |
| 4 | Submit via EP Online Employer or appointed agent submits via MOM EP eService; standard processing 10 working days, complex cases 3–8 weeks. | Employer/agent and MOM | — | Application S$105; renewal S$225 | MOM EP eService | Upon approval, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) valid 6 months is issued. |
| 5 | Entry activation and card collection Candidate enters with IPA, completes fingerprint/photo registration and medical exam if required, collects the physical EP card within 1–2 weeks; Dependant's Pass (DP) or LTVP can be applied alongside. | Candidate and MOM | — | Card issuance fee | MOM service centre | Must activate within the 6-month IPA validity. Penalty：Late activation voids the IPA |
| 6 | Renewal and ongoing compliance EP first term 1–2 years, renewal up to 3 years; from Jan 2026 renewals must meet the new salary threshold. S Pass / Work Permit require levy payment and quota compliance. Local employees must comply with the Employment Act. | Employer HR | — | Renewal fee and levy | MOM renewal | Raise salary ahead of renewal to meet the new threshold. Penalty：Renewal below threshold is rejected; unpaid levy draws fines |
✅ Self-check list
⚠ Common pitfalls
COMPASS not met影响：EP rejected规避：Raise salary, improve nationality diversity, increase local PMET share
Qualifications unverified (mandatory from 2025)影响：Application returned or rejected规避：Arrange MOM-recognised third-party qualification verification early
Shell company applying for EP影响：Explicitly not allowed; application voided规避：Ensure genuine operations and local business activity
Renewal below new threshold (2026-01)影响：Renewal rejected, staffing gap规避：Raise salary early and monitor renewal timing
False employment information影响：Penalty and damaged employer credibility规避：All information must be true and verifiable
📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations
- EP renewed on time (new salary threshold from 2026).
- S Pass / Work Permit levy and quota compliant.
- Local employees meet Employment Act requirements (pay, hours, dismissal).
- DP / LTVP managed per EP status.
- Employer continuously maintains local hiring and COMPASS indicators.
🔗 Official portals
📎 Source：Ministry of Manpower (MOM) https://www.mom.gov.sg
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